What is a designated treating physician?

A designated treating physician is a medical professional that an employer selects to diagnose and treat an injured worker in Illinois. This physician must be qualified to treat the employee’s work-related injury and must be approved by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The designated treating physician has a major role in the workers’ compensation process. This doctor is responsible for providing medical treatment to the injured employee, determining the employee’s medical eligibility to return to work, and deciding whether or not further medical treatment is necessary. Additionally, the designated treating physician must provide reports on the employee’s medical condition to the Workers’ Compensation Commission within prescribed timelines. The employee has the right to choose a second opinion on their work-related injury. However, if the employee receives a second opinion from another physician, it must be authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Commission. The designated treating physician’s opinion is given more weight and consideration in the workers’ compensation process than any other medical opinion. The goal of the Workers’ Compensation system is to ensure that employees receive the medical attention and benefits they are entitled to after a work-related injury. The designated treating physician plays a key role in this process, as they are responsible for providing medical care to the employee and reporting their condition to the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

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What is a designated treating physician?

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